Council adopts green strategy

SUNSHINE Coast council will roll out extensive energy saving and environmentally conscious measures across its buildings and its fleet of vehicles.

Council overwhelmingly approved its energy transition plan in what environment councillor Keryn Jones said was “the most important first step” to becoming a sustainable government.

Its report found that while windfarms were not an option for the region and ocean power generation was not yet commercially viable, more conventional steps will be taken.

Council will use solar power on “all significant facilities and sites”, create demand for sustainable biodiesel use on the Coast by using the fuel in all its diesel-powered fleet, and push energy efficiency measures throughout its buildings and equipment.

Cr Jones said it was a “no brainer” that council had to approve these measures.

Cr Vivien Griffin also strongly supported the plan, saying that the region had no chance of being Australia’s most sustainable if it ignored the scheme.

“Council is aiming to be the most sustainable council in Australia and if we aren’t taking action on climate and energy issues, we ain’t in the ballpark,” Cr Griffin said.

“We are among the vanguard of councils on this.

“And we can have a leadership role if we choose that – and today we are choosing that.”

Prior to the plan being approved, Mayor Bob Abbot said that long term, this was a “critical” project for the council.

“It’s probably not the biggest issue for the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Abbot said.

“But it’s one of the most critical ones long term.

“We can make electricity prices cheaper and it’s not a massively expensive program.”

Later, in the meeting, Cr Abbot beamed with pride about the decision the council had made. “I think this is a good step forward by good people, taken for a good reason,” he said.